Monroe County man accused of raping 9-year-old

Duryea police charged a Monroe County man Wednesday for allegedly raping a 9-year-old girl in the basement of a Duryea residence.

Michael James Duane, 29, of 4144 Forest Drive, Kunkletown, was arraigned by video from the Monroe County Correctional Facility, where he is jailed on previous charges for sexually assaulting the same girl he is accused of raping in Duryea.

During an interview with state police on Feb. 19, Duane admitted to sexually assaulting the girl several times within the past few weeks. On one occasion he raped the girl, state police said.

Duryea police began the investigation after state police in Lehighton and Children and Youth Services alerted them to the incident. Following a 2½-month investigation, Duane was charged with five felony counts, including rape, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor, and a misdemeanor count of corruption of a minor.

His preliminary hearing for charges filed in Luzerne County is set for 1:30 p.m. April 16 before Kravitz. His preliminary hearing in Monroe County is scheduled May 5.

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